When we say "organic", we're referring directly to everything to do with life, with living organisms. Organic farming, on the other hand, is based on the enhancement of natural biological processes. An organic product is therefore the result of natural, non-chemically-treated production, including pesticides.
Consequently, we can speak of organic textiles when they are made from plant materials. This could mean textiles made from raw materials such as bamboo, linen, hemp, eucalyptus and, of course, cotton. In these textiles, only cotton is regularly and massively treated with pesticides during intensive cultivation.
On the other hand, if we take polyester as an example, we can't call it an organic textile, because not only is it not made from plant matter, it's also made from petroleum, a textile derived from chemicals.
But why are pesticides undesirable?
There is currently a great deal of scientific research demonstrating the undesirable effects of pesticides. Although this is complex and a multitude of effects have been identified, the main ones concern environmental pollution and effects on human health.
Air pollution: Pesticides definitely contribute to air pollution. As they are volatile when applied, a large proportion of the molecules are carried by the wind to other regions, posing a potential threat to surrounding species.
Water pollution: Pesticide use contaminates watercourses. Since water is part of a system, pesticides circulate freely. The US Geological Survey has estimated that 100% of surface streams and 90% of well water are contaminated with pesticides.
Also, the use of chemical fertilizers encourages the growth of aquatic plants, which in turn changes the ecosystem and reduces oxygen levels. This has the effect of making certain animal species vulnerable and causing a loss of biodiversity.
Aquatic and animal life: Undesirable effects on aquatic, avian and terrestrial animal life are manifold. Several studies have shown that pesticides reduce the efficiency of the immune system, disrupt the endocrine system (thyroid and reproductive) and may be carcinogenic.
And what about the human being?
As we have just seen, the use of pesticides contaminates all the main elements with which human beings come into contact. Indeed, when we talk about air and water quality, and add food and clothing, we can say with certainty that we are in frequent contact with these substances. This raises another matter of concern. Many of these substances are bio-accumulable. As humans are at the top of the food chain, there is a high risk of contamination. What's more, being an animal species, humans are not immune to the effects mentioned above: endocrine, reproductive and immune disruption. The World Health Organization estimates that between 20,000 and 200,000 deaths are caused by pesticides every year. These deaths occur mainly in developing countries, where around a third of the pesticides used do not meet international quality standards.
A major challenge
It has been shown that the majority of pesticides are sprayed or spread globally on cultivated plots, and that these substances mostly fail to reach their intended target. In fact, it seems that over 95% of insecticides and herbicides sprayed reach a destination other than their intended target. This means that the vast majority of pesticides used are a net loss, without any benefit. It is estimated that France uses 66,600 tonnes of pesticides a year, making it the world's third largest consumer, and that this consumption is growing worldwide.
What can we do individually?
We certainly don't have the immediate power to change things globally! However, we are in the front line, and we invite you all to do your part. There are several commendable alternatives. You can have access to a community-supported, local and organic fruit and vegetable basket, you can have a vegetable garden (on a plot, on a roof, on a balcony,...), you can also buy locally since our laws have already banned many pesticides. Another option - and we're preaching to the choir here - is to promote the purchase of organic clothing. When you consider that the United States is one of the world's biggest users of pesticides, and that almost a third of the quantity used is for cotton cultivation, you realize that buying organic clothing is not insignificant.
Ecologically yours,
